Based on the novel by John Le Carre, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold stars Richard Burton as a dispirited, end-of-tether British secret agent. He comes in from "the cold" (meaning he is pulled out of field operations) to act as… MoreBased on the novel by John Le Carre, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold stars Richard Burton as a dispirited, end-of-tether British secret agent. He comes in from "the cold" (meaning he is pulled out of field operations) to act as a undercover man behind the Iron Curtain. To make his staged defection seem genuine, Burton goes on an alcoholic toot and is imprisoned and publicly humiliated. Once he has been accepted into East German espionage circles, Burton discovers that what he thought was his mission was a mere subterfuge--and that he's been set up as a pawn for an entirely different operation. Though Ireland and England "stand in" for East Berlin, Spy Who Came In From the Cold has the air of authenticity throughout, thanks in great part to the bleak black and white photography by Oswald Morris. The film was condemned as incomprehensible by those filmgoers accustomed to the simplistic melodramatics of James Bond; seen today, the double-crosses and double-double crosses seem all too clear and credible. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

What finally impresses, however, is the sheer seediness of so much of the film, with characters, buildings, and landscapes lent convincingly grubby life by Oswald Morris' excellent monochrome camera-work.

This pitch-perfect adaptation of John le Carré's best-seller captures the Cold War in all its chilly complexity ... Burton delivers a towering performance that's second only to his turn in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? as the finest of his career.

This film's entire existence is merely as an real world answer to the James Bond craze prevalent in its day and then simply to say: "that's not… MoreThis film's entire existence is merely as an real world answer to the James Bond craze prevalent in its day and then simply to say: "that's not true." Well what is the truth then? Sad little men sulking in shadows, lying to everyone, especially themselves. Burton is really good as one of the men, a guy who hates himself playing a guy who hates himself playing a guy who hates himself. Its really grim but good.

Mister Caple

Directed by Martin Ritt,"the Spy Who Came In From The Cold" is an adaption of John Le Carre's best selling novel about a reluctant British double… MoreDirected by Martin Ritt,"the Spy Who Came In From The Cold" is an adaption of John Le Carre's best selling novel about a reluctant British double agent,offers effectively restrained performance by Richard Burton in the title role;Claire Bloom,as an idealistic British communist who becomes the spy's lover during his undercover operation;and Oskar Werner as an East German interrogator. The drab cold war atmosphere is deftly evoked by Oswald Morris's elemental black-and-white photography and the cramped sets designed by Tambi Larsen and Hal Pereira. But Martin Ritt's film means less without its popular foil. Released in 1965,as the same year "The Ipcress File",and the 007 thriller "Thunderball",the fourth of the phenomenally successful James Bond films starring Sean Connery,"the Spy Who Came In The Cold" consistently positions itself as a rebuke to the glamourous,action movie ethos of the Bond films:no fancy gadgets or bikini-clad beauties here,only a pinched and dingy universe in which the moral compass spins without direction.
If Ritt has a limtation as a director,it is his tendency to use drama to demonstrate,to turn his characters into masterpieces for the moral and political values he wants to compare and contrast. For a film about ambiguity-do the actions of Burton's character make him a hero or a dupe or a man who just froze up during his mission. Of one of the most interesting films of the mid-1960's,"The Man Who Came In From The Cold" ultimately seems pat and predictable but well done.

Anthony Le

Although the build up (first 30 minutes) is a bit slow, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold quickly becomes a trhilling adventure. The plot is original and… MoreAlthough the build up (first 30 minutes) is a bit slow, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold quickly becomes a trhilling adventure. The plot is original and exciting and the acting was beyond my expectations. Altogether, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a daring thriller.
Favorite Scene: The end when he decides not to climb the wall

Emily B.

A great cast (Richard Burton, Claire Bloom, Oskar Werner), but the story just didn't keep me interested.
Nice cinematography though, very atmospheric.

Reid Volk

Stunning and rich visuals, but the storyline really drags in many parts of the film.

Michael Gildea

A spy movie that's more along the lines of the dull Tom Clancy stories with little to no action. Okay, maybe not that bad but with the word Spy in the… MoreA spy movie that's more along the lines of the dull Tom Clancy stories with little to no action. Okay, maybe not that bad but with the word Spy in the title don't expect a James Bond flick or a Bourne movie.

Stephen Earnest

Being a John le Carre adaptation, you can expect that "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold" will be two things: grim and unexciting. There's no… MoreBeing a John le Carre adaptation, you can expect that "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold" will be two things: grim and unexciting. There's no doubting that events like this did happen during the Cold War, but that doesn't make it any more of a compelling watch. The pace is unrelenting in its slowness, the plot doesn't take any interesting turns, and it's just not involving or likable. Richard Burton's understated acting, Oswald Morris' gloomy black-and-white photography and a morally ambiguous tone are really all that the film has going for it.

Barry Lappin

Absolute cracker. I really love the cold war spy films.

Stefanie C

decent thriller, full of espionage and counter-espionage. Richard Burton is the ingredient that makes this film work.

John Ballantine

In comparison to many films made about the Cold War after the Cold War, this stands out as a wonderful spy film at the height of the tension. Richard Burton is… MoreIn comparison to many films made about the Cold War after the Cold War, this stands out as a wonderful spy film at the height of the tension. Richard Burton is fantastic in the lead.

Grifty G

Probably made because Bond movies had made the spy genre big business, but this film is the opposite of Bond. Spy work is much more about information exchange… MoreProbably made because Bond movies had made the spy genre big business, but this film is the opposite of Bond. Spy work is much more about information exchange than fistfights and car chases. Richard Burton is sent into the field to pose as a disgruntled, broke, alchoholic ex-CIA agent so that the Russians will court him as an informer and double agent, and he could misinform them about one of their own agents being a double agent himself.
A film that benefits from learning the various character's names, as they are often spoken about behind closed doors. Personally, I was confused at times simply because I hadn't paid as close attention as I should have, but the story became more and more clear as the film went on. A solid cold-war spy thriller if you're looking for something more grounded in reality.